Shaun Maloney takes charge of Wigan Athletic for the 99th time this weekend at Bolton Wanderers – and he’s in no doubt as to how big a victory would be
“If we were to win this one, it would be the best…by a mile,” said the Latics boss, who oversaw two victories out of two in the derby last term. “And I think that’s probably down to the level of experience we have in the squad.
“You’re talking about going to a place like Bolton, but our squad is the youngest in the group, and I think they’re all incredibly talented.
“Last year, we went there with so much experience in the team, lads who had won big games and league titles.
“So that’s probably why I see it as the biggest team, it does feel like a completely new team this year.
“Some of the players in our squad won’t have played in a game as big as this one, but I want them to have massive confidence in what we’re trying to do.
“Honestly, it feels like we’re massive underdogs going into the game, and if we were to go there and win, it would feel by far the biggest win I’ve had as a manager.
“But we know the level of performance of the team has to be at a certain level to beat Bolton, they’re that good a side.
“I still believe Birmingham will run away with this league…and I hope that’s not too disrespectful to Wrexham and the other teams around them. But aside from Birmingham, I don’t see too many teams being better than Bolton, they’re that strong.
“I think they were a very strong team last season, and they’re an even stronger team this season. They strengthened again in the summer, and they managed to keep all their forward players.
“Looking at the subs they can bring on, this is as strong a side as you could wish to play against in League One. It’s a massive challenge for us, but come on…let’s go and face it.”
Latics haven’t lost to their nearest and dearest neighbours for a decade.
Indeed, Maloney was in the Latics side that lost 3-1 in Horwich in November 2014, which proved to be Uwe Rosler’s last game in charge.
A couple of months later, Malky Mackay’s Latics also bowed out of the FA Cup in the third round to a Zach Clough goal.
Since then, Latics have won five and drawn three of the eight fixtures, scoring 17 times and conceding only five.
